Peshawar Zalmi Demolish Quetta Gladiators by 118 Runs to Lock Top 2 in PSL 2026
Peshawar Zalmi are heading to the Qualifier. A 118-run win over Quetta Gladiators on April 19 at National Stadium Karachi has locked them into the top two of the PSL 2026 standings, and it was not even close.
| Match | Result | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zalmi vs Gladiators, Match 29 | Zalmi won by 118 runs | National Stadium, Karachi | April 19, 2026 |
Babar Azam led from the front with a brilliant unbeaten century. The chase never got going for Quetta. By the time their innings ended at 137 all out in 18.1 overs, the game had already been won and lost.
Babar Azam Anchors a Monster Total
Quetta won the toss and chose to field. That decision backfired badly.
Mohammad Haris fell early for 16 off 11 but Babar Azam, fresh into his innings, simply took charge. He finished unbeaten on 100 off 52 balls, hitting nine fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 192.30. It was the kind of innings that reminds you why he remains one of the most dangerous batters in the format when he is in this mood.
Kusal Mendis was the perfect partner. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter smashed 83 off 44 balls before Usman Tariq got him in the 15th over. Farhan Yousaf chipped in with 19 and Aaron Hardie closed with a breezy 26 off 10, completely unbeaten.
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Haris | 16 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 145.45 |
| Babar Azam (c) | 100* | 52 | 9 | 7 | 192.30 |
| Kusal Mendis | 83 | 44 | 5 | 7 | 188.63 |
| Farhan Yousaf | 19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 237.50 |
| Aaron Hardie | 26* | 10 | 1 | 7 | 260.00 |
Zalmi posted 255/3 in 20 overs at a run rate of 12.75. No Quetta bowler truly got a grip. Alzarri Joseph picked up the lone wicket from pace but conceded 59 off four overs.
Quetta Collapse in 18 Overs
Chasing 256, Quetta needed a flying start. They got the opposite.
Saud Shakeel went in the fourth over for 12. Rilee Rossouw was dismissed for a duck off the very next ball. At 22/2, the chase was already in serious trouble. Hasan Nawaz, Dinesh Chandimal, and Shamyl Hussain all failed to push on, and Quetta slipped from 73/5 to 82/7 inside eleven overs.
Bevon Jacobs fought gamely with 34 off 27 but it was never going to be enough. Zalmi’s bowling attack was clinical all the way through.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Basit | 4 | 26 | 3 | 6.50 |
| Ali Raza | 3.1 | 9 | 3 | 2.84 |
| Sufiyan Muqeem | 4 | 34 | 1 | 8.50 |
| Michael Bracewell | 2 | 24 | 1 | 12.00 |
| Aaron Hardie | 2 | 11 | 2 | 5.50 |
Mohammad Basit and Ali Raza shared six wickets between them. Basit finished with 3/26 while Ali Raza was even more miserly, returning 3/9 off just over three overs. Quetta were all out for 137 in 18.1 overs.
Zalmi Confirm Qualifier Berth
This result is massive in the context of the PSL 2026 points table. Zalmi now sit in the top two and will feature in the Qualifier, which gives them two chances to reach the Final on May 3.
Quetta, meanwhile, drop to fourth. Their path to the Final now runs through the Eliminators, where a single loss ends their tournament.
For Zalmi, this is exactly the kind of momentum you want heading into the business end. A 118-run margin sends a clear message to the rest of the field.
Check the PSL 2026 schedule to follow all remaining matches and Qualifier fixtures as they are confirmed.
The Peshawar Zalmi squad has been one of the most complete units in this edition, and tonight was a reminder of just how dangerous they are when Babar fires and the bowlers back it up.
Key Takeaways from Match 29
- Babar Azam’s 100* off 52 balls was the highest individual score of the match
- Zalmi’s 255/3 is among the highest totals posted this season
- Ali Raza’s 3/9 was the most economical bowling performance of the night
- Quetta lost their top five for 44 runs, which ended all hope of a chase
- Zalmi are confirmed in the top two with Qualifier cricket secured
FAQs
Who won Match 29 of PSL 2026? Peshawar Zalmi beat Quetta Gladiators by 118 runs at National Stadium Karachi on April 19, 2026.
How many runs did Babar Azam score? Babar Azam scored 100 not out off 52 balls, hitting nine fours and seven sixes.
Did Peshawar Zalmi qualify for the Qualifier? Yes. This win confirmed Zalmi’s place in the top two, meaning they will play in the Qualifier with two chances to reach the Final.
What did Quetta Gladiators score in the chase? Quetta were bowled out for 137 in 18.1 overs, falling 118 runs short of the target.
Who were the top wicket-takers for Zalmi? Mohammad Basit took 3/26 and Ali Raza took 3/9, sharing six wickets between them.
What is the Zalmi vs Gladiators head-to-head result in PSL 2026? Peshawar Zalmi won this fixture decisively by 118 runs, making it a strong result in Zalmi’s favour this season.
